I pull into SIP twenty minutes earlier than scheduled because traffic was not as heavy as I expected it to be. I didn't want to go in early because I'm sure Ana is a very busy woman and I do not want to disturb her. I decided to just sit in the car and wait it out.
I pull out a magazine from the back seat and I start to read. I become quickly bored with that and I suddenly feel like I'm losing the battle against my heavy eyelids. I wish I slept better last night and I close my eyes. I feel my whole body jolt in my seat and my eyes open wide, I can't even relax because my deprivation is getting the better of me. I get out of my car in order to get some fresh air.
I shut my eyes and inhale the crisp air. I turn around to face the road and I could have sworn I saw Ethan walk into the coffee shop across the street. I go back to my car grab my wallet and keys. I lock my car, rush across the street and walk into the coffee shop. I begin to search around for Ethan but I cannot seem to find him. I decided to order coffee because I need something to wake me up.
"Hello, what can I get you?" the barista asks with a foreign accent. From her accent and her appearance I can tell she's Asian. She must be no older than sixteen years old with her black hair in a bob cut and almond shaped eyes. I glance at her nametag 'Kelly' but I can tell it's not her real name.
"Hi yeah can I get a medium French Vanilla Capp please with a shot of espresso?" I smile at her.
"Okay thank you, name?" she asks and just as I was about to answer I hear "Mia" from behind me and I turn around as my heart rate increases.
It's Ethan and he's laughing at my expression.
"Mia are you stalking me or something?" he laughs I must look pretty silly at this point. "Did you change your clothes?" he starts eyeing me down.
"Ethan, my goodness. What a surprise! You scared the crap out of me" I'm trying to catch my breath; he completely caught me off guard.
"I bet" he says sarcastically and winks.
I roll my eyes "please don't flatter yourself, I'm here for my meeting. Now don't go around getting any crazy ideas in that tiny mind of yours"
"Sorry to interrupt, but that'll be 3.64" Kelly says and I turn back around.
"I'm so sorry, um Ethan do you want anything? It's on me" I asked
"Sure I'll have whatever you're having" he says "and it's on me"
"No really let me" I put my debit card in Kelly's right hand but Ethan hands a ten-dollar bill and she takes it in her left hand.
"uhh..?" she asks confused
"Look just let me just repay you for the ride" Ethan says
"But that's not fair, I only gave you the ride because you helped me which means I'll owe you if you buy my coffee"
"Yes, but only you think that way Mia. Can't a guy buy a drink for a pretty girl?" he smiles. Damn his smile it's like my kryptonite.
"Well only if you can afford it Mister" I snap and grab my debit card.
"Ouch!" he puts his hand over his heart and throws his head back. We both chuckle "Shall we?" he asks and I put my arm through his as he leads me to a table for two.
"Thank for the coffee" where are my manners?
"Don't mention it" he takes a sip of his coffee and his face indicates that he is not enjoying his drink. "Ugh, what is this? Gross!" he wipes the coffee off his lips.
"Hey it's not my fault, you should have ordered what you liked" I blow my coffee in order to cool it down. I take a sip "hmmm" French Vanilla is so comforting it reminds me of wintertime when you're really cold and it warms you up.
"It's way too sweet and it has way too much coffee" he says and takes another sip this time he tolerates it
"Oh I ordered it with a shot of espresso, I didn't get much sleep last night and I need a quick pick-me-up before my meeting"
"This meeting must be really important if it's keeping you up at night" he leans forward as if he was about to get a story. He puts his elbows on the table and sets his coffee down but doesn't remove his hands off the cup.
"Yep" I blow on my coffee once more and take a huge sip so I can purposefully burn my tongue. "Ah!" I feel like he wanted to know more but I don't really want to give anything away it's kind of embarrassing. What am I supposed to say? I was sent here by my family to interrogate my older brother's new girlfriend? Yeah that's going to go over very well with Ethan. If that doesn't drive this guy away I don't know what will.
"Oh shit Mia! Are you okay?" he hands over a napkin and pulls his chair closer to mine.
"Yeah sorry I'm fine" I replied taking the napkin and patting the edges of my mouth.
"What are you apologizing for?" he says like he said the first time we met near the park.
"Uh, sorry" did I just apologize for apologizing? I laugh awkwardly "It's just the meeting, I'm really anxious about it"
"So, is it top secret or something?" he asks "you're very secretive about it". I can tell he isn't going to let this go.
"Something like that" I take another sip of my coffee and check the time on my iPhone and realize that I only have five minutes before I have to go to reception and ask for Ana.
"Do you have to go now?" he asks
"Yeah sorry! I'm going to be late" I say "thanks for coffee, I guess I'll see you around?"
"Yeah sounds good, now go kick some butt in your meeting! Show them who's boss!" he shakes his fist in front of his face and we both start laughing. We stand together and he walks me out of the coffee shop.
"Bye Ethan, it was nice seeing you again" I kiss his cheek. I'm not exactly sure if that was okay with him but I don't give him a chance to react or say anything because I start running across the street towards SIP and I turn around to wave. But he's running across the street after me and he's almost halfway crossed the road. He starts to slow down and his smile is so comforting. I step forward to meet him and just as I reach the sidewalk a car comes out of nowhere and hits Ethan.
My whole body convulses and I'm gasping for air. I open my eyes and I'm sitting in my car. I realize that I was dreaming. "Oh my god" I put my hand on my chest and my heart is racing. I start to breath slowly in order to calm myself down. I grab my iPhone and notice that I have exactly five minutes to get to reception and I set my iPhone back down and put both hands on my forehead and close my eyes. Déjà vu much?
My phone starts going off and it startles me "seriously Mia, breathe" I start laughing. This is ridiculous I'm all flustered because of a dream that isn't even real! PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER WOMAN! I check myself in my compact mirror and I powder my nose and re-apply my gloss. I grab my bag, my phone, and my keys and lock my car behind me.
I look both ways before I cross the parking lot and walk through the doors. I check my phone and see that I missed a call from Ana. I look up and I see Ana standing with a man right in from of reception.
"Ana!" I said maybe a little too enthusiastically and I make my way to her. But just as I make my way to her the man turns around and it's none other than Ethan himself.